A delegation from the Holy Land has visited the monastic cell of Saints Cleopas Ilie and Paisius Olaru at Sihăstria Monastery in Neamț County, Romania.
The delegation included the Very Rev. Archimandrite Constantinos Peramatzis, abbot of the Monastery of Saint George of Chozeva, and Protosyncellus Ioan Meiu, the Romanian Patriarchate’s representative to the Holy Places.
Archimandrite Constantinos Peramatzis shared that he became acquainted with Elder Cleopas through his writings, which left a profound mark on his spiritual formation. He also expressed his deep reverence for Romanian saints, especially Saint John Jacob of Neamț, also known as the New Chozebite.
The visit takes place in the context of the upcoming local proclamation of the canonizations of Saints Cleopas and Paisius, scheduled for August 7 at Sihăstria Monastery.
The approval for the canonization of sixteen Romanian saints was granted during the July 11–12, 2024, sessions of the Holy Synod. Among them were Hieroschemamonk Paisie Olaru, spiritual father of Sihăstria Monastery, who was given the title Saint Paisius of Sihăstria, to be commemorated on December 2, and Archimandrite Cleopa Ilie, abbot of Sihăstria, who received the title Saint Cleopas of Sihăstria, with the same feast day.
Photo: Doxologia
